Season With NEUFC Was Rewarding: Seiminlen Doungel

Player from Manipur joins FC Goa for a 2-year contract

GUWAHATI: Manipur is known for its love for the beautiful game of football. Every young football player dreams of playing in a club and for the national team. Seiminlen Doungel had the same dream. Doungel began his professional career with East Bengal before going on to play for Pailan Arrows, Shillong Lajong and Bengaluru FC in the I-League. He has earlier represented North East United FC, Delhi Dynamos and Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League. This season Doungel signed for 2-year contract with FC Goa. In a brief interview he shared his future plans and speaks of other issues. Here is the excerpt

Q: How does it feel being signed by FC Goa for the next two years?

A: It feels great to sign for FC Goa for the next two years. I feel it is an important step in my career and development. I look forward to joining my teammates very soon.

Q: How did your love for the game come into being?

A: Manipur has always been a keen football-playing State. Each kid gets introduced to the game through some way or the other at a very early age. As children, when we start playing, it is our dream to become professional footballers and play for India one day.

Q: You’ve played with BFC, DDFC, NEUFC and KBFC. What made you make the move to FC Goa?

A: My journey with each team has been different, one where I learnt different things along the way, on and off the pitch. I have always enjoyed playing in Goa when I used to travel for away games and now when the opportunity came, I didn’t have to think too much. FC Goa has been performing consistently well over the past few seasons which shows in their results and the way they play. Also, FC Goa fans are very passionate and create an atmosphere which makes the game even more exciting. I believe FC Goa will help me push beyond my limit and I hope to give my best both for the club and the fans.

Q: Accomplishing huge milestones at the young age of 25, what has been the highlight or the turning point in your football journey?

A: Coming back into the fray after a long term injury, I was drafted to NEUFC in the 2017-18 season. I worked harder than ever in the pre-season to get back to my fitness levels. Even though we did not have a good season, I took every game as an opportunity to perform for the team and learn as much as I could from the game. From a personal point of view, that season was very rewarding for me as I received a Senior National Team call-up as well as earned a move to Kerala Blasters FC.

Q: Win or lose, what have you learnt from your fellow mates playing in the field for ISL?

A: At the end of every season, there can only be one winner and as professional players, we all want to be that winner. So each time we take to the field, giving our best is the only thing on our minds. Football is a team game and it is important for all players to stick to the coach’s plan.

Q: It’s not easy being a national player and sometimes feeling low, how do you deal with rejection or insecurity

A: Only a few players can represent the country and rejection should be taken as a motivator to work harder every day till we get the next call-up. Highs and lows are a part and parcel of being a footballer. What matters the most is how you get back up and continue the journey.

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